Nfl

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick prepared to answer a reporter's question during a media availability at the NFL football team's facility in Foxborough, Mass., Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014. The Patriots will play the Indianapolis Colts in an NFL divisional playoff game at Foxborough Saturday night. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)

I'm sorry. There, it's out and in far less time than it took the governor of New Jersey to do the same thing. With apologies in vogue these days (you're nobody unless you have something to be sorry for), your NFL prognosticator thought it important to start with this mea culpa.

Last week, Wild Card Weekend, I was a perfect 0-for-4 with my picks. For that transgression of the public trust, I am sorry.

Thursday was an interesting day in American life. Now that the Polar Vortex has gone on its merry way (question: do we get an Equatorial Vortex in the summer?), attention must be turned to something else. Thursday that something was apologies. To wit:

1. Gov. Christie in New Jersey apologized for actions that caused incredible traffic problems. (If that is the precedent, what politician should apologize daily for the mess on I-84 in Waterbury?)

2. Dennis Rodman, our ambassador to North Korea, apologized for some insensitive comments he made in that country. His excuse? He said he was drunk at the time (of the original miscue, not the apology ... at least I think that's the order).

3. Old/new Louisville football coach Bobby Petrino apologized for just about every bad thing he's done in the last 10 years as a coach. That apology is ongoing.

So, with all that going on, I wanted to join the club. I didn't get one game right, although I would have had one right if not for Andy Reid and the Chiefs.

Let's hope this weekend is better, or I could be back on the apology bandwagon next week.

Here are today's winners:

Seahawks (-8) over Saints: Everyone forgot how bad New Orleans was as a road team this year after they won in Philadelphia last week. But combine that with the dominance of the Seahawks in the Pacific Northwest and you have what could be a rout. They played there a month ago and Seattle won, 34-7. It might not be that bad today, but it won't be tight.

Patriots (-7 1/2) over Colts: You never know who will show up for the Pats from game to game, but as long as Bill Belichik and Tom Brady (17-7 in postseason, with two of those losses in the Super Bowl) do, the Pats have chance.

Playing in New England in a night playoff game is nearly impossible, and with possible bad weather (rain, wind) tonight, the passing game will be tricky.

You figure to hear a couple of ex-UConn names a lot: Donald Brown is the Colts' top rusher and Indy cornerback Darius Butler (former Pats player) should be chasing guys around in the secondary most of the night.

With this win, the Pats will play in their eighth AFC title game in the past 13 years.

Post a reader comment

We encourage your feedback and dialog. Please be civil and respectful.If you're witty, to the point and quotable, your reader comments may also be included on the Around the Towns page of The Sunday Republican. Readers must be registered and logged in to post comments on the site. Registration is free. Click Here to register.
A Subscription is not required to post comments only a Registration.